Product Details

• Actors: Warner Oland, Boris Karloff, Keye Luke, William Demarest, Guy Usher
• Directors: H. Bruce Humberstone
• Writers: Bess Meredyth, Charles Belden, Earl Derr Biggers, Scott Darling
• Producers: John Stone
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, NTSC
• Rated: Unrated
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 68 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301798678
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,353 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Chinese private detective Charlie Chan solves a murder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid member of the Charlie Chan series, February 20, 2003

By 

Kevin Brianton (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charlie Chan: At the Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a terrific film that shows the quality of the Charlie Chan series. Set in a theatre showing an opera, Chinese private detective Chan and his son solve a baffling murder mystery with plenty of false leads.

The opera being performed was actually written for the film by Oscar Levant and the recording is still available today. One of the main suspects Karloff seems to have wondered in from a Universal horror film, but it does not detract from the overall quality of the film. It is great fun.

It is not possible today to watch Charlie Chan without seeing some racial undertones. It is worth noting that it is an Asian character who is mentally faster and far more polite than his counterparts that solves the mysteries. He never resorts to violence and is calm in all situations. Rather than being racist, perhaps the films were a slap in the face to those who considered whites to be superior. But it must be said some scenes do jar a bit.

The mystery is played fair. All the clues are there. So go and enjoy it.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest in the series, January 16, 2002

By 

Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Charlie Chan: At the Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Charlie Chan films are frequently accused of pandering to racial stereotypes. There is a certain truth to this, but Charlie Chan and company were neither more nor less stereotypical than such other popular series as the "Blondie" or "Dr. Kildare" series, and--while we may occasionally roll our eyes at a few 1930s sensibilities--its stereotypes are never mean-spirited and Charlie (along with his various sons) is always presented in a positive light.

CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OPERA is certainly one of the finest--and some argue the single best--of the series for the film was not made as quickly or inexpensively as most in the series. OPERA is given the first class treatment, and producers even went so far as to have Oscar Levant write an opera ("Carnival") for use in the film. The film pits Warner Oland's Chan, played with typical drop-dead aplomb, against none other than Boris Karloff, who plays a mysterious patient escaped from an insane asylum and now haunting an opera house during a stellar performance. Keye Luke appears as Chan's "number one son" Lee, and the supporting cast also includes such notables as Netta Harrigan and the always welcome William Demarest. The story and script are slight, but every one concerned is clearly having a terrific time with the project, and the result is quite a bit of fun. Fans of the series will enjoy it, and it is a recommended introduction to Charlie Chan for newcomers as well.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good mystery//great music, January 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Charlie Chan: At the Opera [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This Charlie Chan entry is 1st rate.The racial slurs might offend some people///remember it was made in the 30's//. The original operatic music was composed by Oscar Levant and it is quite good. Boris Karoff is an extra added attraction. The production is excellent and the supporting cast is in top form. This is an enjoyable 30's who done it..Sit back and enjoy this film